Comparing the Level of Psychological Stress and Well-Being Between Intercollegiate and Club Sports Athletes

Context: Elevated psychological stress paired with poor lifestyle choices can lead to an increase in injury risk and recovery time. Knowing the possible differences/similarities in these levels between intercollegiate and club sports athletes could better equip health professionals for the possible differences between the two groups of athletes. Objective: To compare the level of psychological stress and well-being between intercollegiate and club sports athletes to better equip health professionals for the possible differences between the two groups of athletes. Design: Prospective Cohort Study. Setting: Online Survey. Patients or Other Participants: Participants were 108 intercollegiate athletes that participated in NCAA Division III sports or club sports at the 20 NCAA Division III schools in Virginia. Main Outcome Measure(s): The survey consisted of demographic information (eg, competitive setting, sport played) and 2 sections: (1) modified Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) and (2) General Well-Being Schedule (GWBS). Results: There were no significant differences in stress and well-being levels between NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletes and club sports athletes or comparing male athletes and female athletes (P \u3e .05). Injured athletes reported higher stress levels and lower well-being levels when compared to non-injured athletes (P = .001). Conclusions: Our findings suggested that stress and well-being levels do not contribute to a difference in injury risk between intercollegiate athletes and club sports athletes. Injured athletes reporting higher levels of stress and lower levels of well-being is likely related to the stress of not being able to participate at their desired performance level. Key Words: injury risk, distress, anxiety, DASS-21, GWB